“Michelle and I wish to express our deep sorrow at the
passing of your father,” Obama said. “I can only imagine how proud he was to see
you, as the leader of the State of Israel. It was a great gift for
him.

“I want you to know that we are thinking of you and your family at
this time. Your father was a figure who was larger than life. The significant
role he played in the life of the nation and your family only makes the loss
more significant. He was a remarkable man who dedicated his life to the Jewish
people and served as a bridge between Israel and the US,” said
Obama.

Netanyahu thanked Obama and his wife, Michelle.

“I
appreciate your words,” he told them. Of his father, Netanyahu said, “He was a
wonderful father and a great man. This is a big loss for me.

No matter
how long you live, it is always too short. Even if you think you are ready to
separate from your parents, you are never really prepared for
it.”

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton and former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger also called
Netanyahu.

A number of other world leaders sent letters through their
countries’ ambassadors who personally delivered them to Netanyahu, including
Russian president- elect Vladmir Putin and outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev,
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron.